Poetry Lover

By Gary Soto

Twenty years ago, when Silver Mendez was the youthful author of two published books of poetry, he bragged that he was the first Chicano to write in complete sentences. His career has been going... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826323197
• ISBN13: 9780826323194
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Charming and hopeful

Silver, a 39 year old down and out poet doesn't have a lot to get excited about...until a letter arrives inviting him to speak at a literary conference in Spain. There's just one problem, Silver is broke, not to mention homeless, unemployed, semi-estranged from his mother, and trying hard to avoid the cops and past debtors hot on his trail. Oh yeah, and his last poetic "hit" was almost two decades ago. The letter, however, has reawakened some old dreams. Silver's inner poet and lover have come back to life and are longing to express themselves. And they do, in an unsentimental, but hopeful and charming way. Is Silver named for the bright lining he detects behind every ominously dark cloud? Will his spirit help him survive in the face of depressing odds? Will love thrive even as friends and family pass away?Silver's street philosophy and undaunted hope will engage the reader as will his love and lust for a former sweetheart - now middle aged, widowed and overweight. The less than perfect characters have flaws we can all identify with and Silver's self awareness, honesty and big heart will have readers rooting for him. I loved this book.